Thursday, September 28th, in the year of our Lord 2017
By Jonathan Clark
“Anti-Forced Conversion” Laws in India Used to Arrest Pastors
Earlier this month, India’s Jharkhand State joined six other states to approve an “Anti-Forced Conversion Law,” despite peaceful protests from thousands of Christians. This new law prohibits coercion or allurement in making converts to a religion. As characteristic for other states in India, this law has already been used as the basis for arresting multiple pastors.
The World View spoke to Nathan Johnson, Regional Manager with International Christian Concern, about the background of these laws in India.
“The Indian government now, the party in power there is called the BJC, and they have a very Hindu-nationalistic agenda going on. So what this has done is given Hindu radicals who are looking to stop the spread of other minority religions, the power to get these anti-conversion laws enacted.”
Johnson also commented on the state of Christianity in India.
“So far this year, there’s been a report of 410 incidents of persecution across India in the first six months of 2017, compared to a total of 441 reported incidents last year, the whole year. So, we’re seeing a very big upscale in persecution incidents this year compared to last year. Part of that can be because of these forced conversion laws that are coming into effect. But Christians are still standing strong, holding their faith. It’s just a lot of times they’re having to go through legal battles, going to fight to be able to spread their faith or just practice their faith themselves.”
Johnson said we can pray for these fellow Christians to stand fast in their faith in Christ and to have wisdom as they spread the Gospel in this politically hostile area.
The Lord promises in Isaiah 41:10, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Four Nepali Christians Released After Nine Months of Imprisonment
Praise God! Four Nepali Christians were finally released after nine months of imprisonment. The believers had prayed with a mentally ill woman, then were charged with violence and witchcraft!
International Christian Concern petitioned the Nepali government for their release, and now the charges have been dropped.
Russian Orthodox Spokesman Says European Christians Must Defend Their Values
A Russian Orthodox Church spokesman named Metropolitan Hilarion spoke last week at a symposium in London on the “Christian Future of Europe.”
Hilarion said that Christianity is dying out in Europe and being replaced by secularism. He noted a Pew Research study that anticipates a decrease of nearly 100 million Christians in Europe by 2050.
He stated, “I firmly believe that a Europe which has renounced Christ will not be able to preserve its cultural and spiritual identity. . . Christians in Europe must strive to defend their values on which the continent has been built for centuries, and listen to the lamentations and sufferings of Christians from all over the globe.”
Ireland’s Prime Minister Announces Upcoming Vote on Abortion
Ireland’s Eighth Amendment defends the right to life of the unborn. Pro-lifers estimate that the amendment has saved the lives of 100,000 babies.
However, the country’s prime minister, Leo Varadkar, supports the murder of the unborn. He announced Tuesday that a referendum vote on abortion would be held in May or June of 2018.
Psalm 2:1-2 asks, “Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His anointed.”
Republican Lawmakers Unveil New Tax-Reform Plan
Following the latest defeat of repealing Obamacare, Republican lawmakers unveiled the framework for a new tax-reform plan yesterday.
The proposal essentially doubles the standard deduction amounts for individual and family income, takes the number of tax brackets from seven to three, and cuts the corporate rates.
House Speaker Paul Ryan announced the new plan at a Capitol Hill press conference, “Today, we are taking the next step to liberate Americans from our broken tax code.”
President Trump Congratulates Roy Moore on His Victory
President Donald Trump congratulated Judge Roy Moore for his victory against Luther Strange in Alabama’s Republican Senate run-off election on Tuesday.
After speaking to Moore yesterday, Trump said, “Sounds like a really great guy who ran a fantastic race. He will help to [Make America Great Again]!”
Almost 100,000 People Evacuated in India Due to Expected Volcano Eruption
Nearly 100,000 people have been evacuated from a region in the Indonesian island of Bali as the Mount Agung volcano is expected to erupt.
As of yesterday, Indonesia’s disaster agency detected over 800 earthquakes in the area. Mount Agung last erupted in 1963, causing the deaths of 1,100 people.
Woman Loses Job at Gas Station After Defending Herself from Armed Robber
And finally, Jennifer Wertz, mother of three, lost her job at a Circle K gas station in Albuquerque, New Mexico after she had to defend herself by shooting an armed robbery suspect, reports Fox News.
Now, almost $70,000 has been raised for the mother through GoFundMe.com!
Closing Line
And that’s The World View in 5 Minutes on this Thursday, September 28th in the year of our Lord 2017. Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldView.com. I’m Adam McManus. Seize the day for Jesus Christ.